Driving from Wash, DC to Outerbanks
 

We plan to drive from DC to Corolla Light in the Outerbanks the weekend before Labor Day and would like to get suggestions for the best, least stressful route.

thx

I don't think there is a less stressful route from DC than the major highways. You could go down Rt. 17 into the Norfolk area but then you'll have occasional traffic lights. If you're not in a hurry, this may be the way to go. The week before Labor day is actually off season in the OBX so once you get in that area, there shouldn't be too much traffic - not like it is in July when you can sit in slow moving traffic up Rt. 12 to Corolla Light.

We drive down further south every summer and we just bite the bullet and take 95 out of DC. I know some people take 301 south, but we've never tried it.

We always take I-95 to Richmond and I-64 to Norfolk and the only bad traffic we've ever encountered was at the bypass from I-95 to I-64 in Richmond and it wasn't all that bad.

Can't really say which route is best. We use the Rt 301 to Rt 17 and then down to Nags Head since we're not far from 301 so that's the easiest route for us.

It's less travelled and there's a few more places to stop for lunch around Tappahannock. Also a good portion of the road is now 4 lanes and that helps too. To be honest we try to stay away from I-95 through Virginia.

We just did that trip a few weeks ago, and it was fine taking the main roads. Once you get past Norfolk it gets more interesting - but as long as you plan outside rush hour time frames, you should be fine.....